I drive a Highlander. I came out to the car park today to find some sort of cross-over utility vehicle (CUV) (or maybe a Previa) parked so close to my car I couldn’t even open the door to get in. My car was next to the gate house so on that side I had left a gap of about 3 inches so I couldn’t get in either from the passenger side.
After asking around and talking to the security guards, it was obvious I either wait indefinitely or find an alternative means of gaining entry into the car. Though I was parked quite close to the fence, there was just enough room to open the boot partially just about enough for me to get in.
But before I did that, I got a business card from my bag and scribbled something on the back:
“Hi, please park properly next time.
Have a great evening.
I had to get into my car through the boot!!! 🙂
Regards.”

I included the smiley-face in order to “soften” the tone of the message. For some reason, the ridiculousness of the situation itself helped me to remain calm. There I was with the key in my hand and not able to leave.
Which brings me to that well-known expression about you being in control of how you react in all situations. Of course it is not always so easy to keep a level-head. For some reason I just didn’t really get worked up, and by the time I finished the calisthenics required to get from the boot to the middle-row seats all the way to the driver’s seat (I had to take off my shoes to easily maneuver in the confined space), I was gently smiling at myself.

The car was so close I had to fold-in my driver’s side mirror otherwise I would have knocked off his own passenger’s side mirror. The fact that the mirror was almost off its hinges gave an inkling into the sort of driver he/she was. Not only that, he had also angled his front wheel towards my car thereby taking even more space. Literally too close for comfort! I had to carefully inch the car out of the tight spot (the gatehouse on one side and his front wheel on the other – between the devil and the deep blue sea :-).

Shortly after I got home, I got a call from an unknown number.
“Hello Mr Itayemi. This is Mr Adeyemi. I got your message. I am sorry. The slot was so tight I almost couldn’t get out of my car.”
I laughed a little. “Well, Ok.”
“I am keeping your card all the same.”
“That’s OK. Have a great evening.”
“Bye sir.”

Of course I could have thrown a tantrum at the car park; I could have “helped” him by pulling off his partially broken side-mirror; “keyed” his car; kicked a dent in his fender (and possibly break a toe); I could have cursed him and his lineage; I could have ranted till I lost my breath and became red in the face with sweat trickling down my back; or a few other things. I would have accomplished nothing.

But here I am writing this with a smile on my face. Possibly gained a “friendly” acquaintance as well (of course we may never ever meet again, but what does it matter). A reasonably good end to a work day.